Music
July’s X3 Artist of the Month: Wolf Parade
by Anne T. Donahue
July 1, 2010
If you were tuned into the Canadian indie boom of the mid-2000s, you’re probably already well-acquainted with Montreal’s Wolf Parade, the dynamic four-piece who grabbed the attention of critics and listeners after their triumphant 2005 album, Apologies to Queen Mary. Read more and listen to all of Expo 86 after the jump.
If you were tuned into the Canadian indie boom of the mid-2000s, you’re probably already well-acquainted with Montreal’s Wolf Parade, the dynamic four-piece who grabbed the attention of critics and listeners after their triumphant 2005 album, Apologies to Queen Mary. This year, their legacy of energetic, commanding and innovative indie rock continues with the release of Expo 86, the third full-length instalment in the band’s musical journey that proves the popularity of the Montreal four-piece wasn’t a result of a fleeting it-scene.
Having gotten their start in 2003, the group was founded by former Frog Eyes member Spencer Krug after a last-minute gig called for a band to be quickly assembled, and during their tour throughout the year, evolved from a trio with a drum machine, to a dynamic four-piece readying for the release of their debut self-titled EP.
By the time they made their LP debut with Apologies to Queen Mary, the group had already sparked the intrigue of countless audiences and music journalists with their 2004 follow-up EP, but despite the numerous bands appearing in publications and on websites, Wolf Parade managed to stand on their own, solidifying a widespread fanbase appreciative of their raw yet inviting brand of indie rock that continued with 2008’s At Mount Zoomer.
Last month saw the release of the group’s third full-length album, and staying true to their technique of producing magnetic and inspiring music, Wolf Parade’s latest endeavour seems set to define summer 2010. Now consisting of Krug, Dan Boeckner, Arlen Thompson and Dante DeCaro, the band has solidified itself as a Canadian indie staple, and while they stay true to the spirit and approach that brought them attention in the first place, tracks like Little Golden Age and Pobody’s Nerfect prove that Wolf Parade isn’t afraid to evolve and experiment.
Offering an album appropriate to the year Canadian music once again takes a deserving front seat, the Montreal musicians have made Expo 86 a highlight of the season, undoubtedly working to satisfy their existing fans as well as new listeners hungry for the power and edginess synonymous only with Wolf Parade. Head over to our friends CBC Radio 3 to get more on Wolf Parade and listen to all of Expo 86 below.
Wolf Parade – EXPO 86 by subpop
Tags: Music, News, Wolf Parade
